Order from us for quality, customized work in due time of your choice.
Langston Hughes raises a number of philosophical issues in his short poem ‘Mother to Son’. The poem itself, though seemingly small, is capable of surprising even sophisticated readers with its content. Everyone who reads the poem will be able to see themselves in it and try on the role of the protagonist.
From an ordinary person’s point of view, this verse shows how difficult the path to the top can be, despite all the splinters and torn out boards, darkness and the unknown around the corner (Life for me ain’t had no crystal staircase. It’s had tacks in it, And splinters, And boards torn up (lines 2-5)). But towards the end of the poem, despite all the problems that were on the way, the man does not give up and goes forward, setting an example for his future generation (For I’se still goin’, honey, I’se still climbin (lines 17-18)).
Although God is not directly named in the work, his presence is felt. It is he who puts obstacles in man’s way, preventing him from getting what he wants so easily (For I’se still goin’, honey, I’se still climbin (lines 17-18)). It seems that he is not only addressing the native man, but also God himself, showing his longing.
Nature in the verse is shown more as the very obstacles in the way, created by God. It is nature that is the light and the darkness, the splinters and the planks ripped out (I’se been a-climbin’ on, And reachin’ landin’ s, And turnin’ corners, And sometimes goin’ in the dark Where there ain’t been no ligh (lines 9-13)). Without the natural obstacles themselves, man would not have enjoyed the reward as much as if the way had been easy
Reference
Poetry Foundation. 2019. “Mother to Son by Langston Hughes.”
Order from us for quality, customized work in due time of your choice.